Pre-CANSkate

Children (3-5yrs)

Program Summary

Pre-CanSkate is designed for children (ages 3-5yrs), with the focus on helping skaters develop balance and coordination with an emphasis on having fun through the use of music, games and toys.

Our sessions are lively, active and engaging, using teaching aids, music and a variety of activities to create a fun and effective learning environment. Lessons are delivered by NCCP-certified professional coaches, with support from trained volunteer Program Assistants.

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Announcement: Fall/Winter Registration Is Now Open

Skills & Benefits

Pre-CanSkate is Skate Canada’s beginner learn-to-skate program. It teaches the fundamentals of skating in a progressive and sequential manner.

Fundamental Skills Include:

Sit on ice and stand up.
March forward across the ice.
Forward two-foot glide.
Dip.
Forward swizzles — 6–8 in a row.
Backward wiggles — 6–8 in a row.
Beginning snowplow stop on two feet or one foot.
Bonus skill: Two-foot hop in place.

Benefits:

Building self-esteem and confidence
Feeling of achievement – earning ribbons, badges, and other incentives towards their success
Fun, active and engaging
Physical fitness
Effective learning in self-paced sessions
Small Coach-to-student ratios (max capacity groups)

Essential Information:

Lesson Format:

Lessons are taught in a group format led by a Certified Skate Canada Professional Coach, with the assistance of a trained Program Assistant.

Group Size:

Group sizes are of no more then 8 skaters. Children are separated into colour-coded groups based on their age and ability while progressing through six levels of skating skills at their own pace.

Duration:

Each session runs for 30 minutes with the option of more than once per week, if desired.

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A Note About Adaptive & Inclusive Programming

Due to Skate Canada’s required coach-to-student ratios, Newmarket Skating Club has limited capacity to offer adaptive or inclusive coaching for skaters with exceptional needs. If your skater requires individualized or specialized programming to support physical, developmental, behavioural or cognitive needs, please reach out to us at skatingprograms@newmarketsc.ca so we can determine the most appropriate programming for your child.

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Mandatory Equipment & Preparation

Pre-CanSkate Coaches

Many of our CanSkate coaches are current or former NSC skaters who learned to skate in the same environment as your child during these sessions.  

All of our CanSkate Coaches are Skate Canada Certified!

coaches & assistants

“Skating is an amazing form of self-expression. It’s like my soul at play”

-Josee Chouinard (Canadian Figure Skater, 3-Time Canadian National Champion)

More Newmarket Skating Club Programs

CanSkate is designed for all ages (although age 5yrs+ is a guideline), with the focus is on fun, participation and basic skill development that can be used for figure skating, hockey, ringette and synchronized skating.

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Unique in Canada, this program teaches figure skating skills in a group and/or private lesson format and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. Skaters may take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system.